Move in day

Kate packed up all my toys, my bed mat and two big sacks of food into the car today (I hoped she'd open one of the food sacks for me as an afternoon snack but no such luck) and we went off to Sarah and Nicky's house again. I got very excited as we pulled into the driveway and I could recognise where we were!

I bounded into the house and got busy making sure everything in the house smelled the same as it did last time I was here. It took a while, but I do like to be thorough. Kate and Sarah unpacked all my things. It feels different this time, I don't think I'm on holiday! I found my new comfy bed, it's just so fluffy, I love it! I tried to show my appreciation by chewing on the cushion and tossing it around, but no one looked very happy about this, so I did my best to just lie quietly.

After a while, Kate left, and Sarah and Nicky took me for a lovely walk in the park nearby. Everything is so exciting and new, I forgot all about walking nicely on the lead, and my neck is a bit sore from pulling on the lead. I wish I could remember not to, but it's so hard! I was kept far too busy to get worried about moving house, and apart from a couple of barks in the middle of the night, I was very good and slept right through.

First sleepover

I had my first sleepover last night! Kate brought me to see Sarah and Nicky. I love their house, but it was quite messy today and they were very busy with lists and piles of things, moving them all around. I thought I'd let them get on with it, and settled down in a nice pink bed, keeping an eye on them to make sure they weren't secretly eating anything that I could share. (And by share I mean steal.)

After a while (and several photos, they just wouldn't let me have a nap in peace!) I was forcibly ejected from the pink bed and Nicky started putting clothes and bits and pieces inside it! Oh no! I knew what was going on here! They were packing to go on holiday, without me!

I tried to remedy the situation by first climbing into the suitcase myself, and then when that didn't work, grabbing a pair of fluffy ear muffs and sneaking off with them. It wasn't long before they found me and re-packed the earmuffs, although they didn't look too upset. When they went downstairs to fetch hats and scarves I managed to creep back in and steal the earmuffs again... No earmuffs, no holiday, clearly! But sadly I was discovered, and the door was shut. Game over. I don't think they realise just how stealthy I can be, I don't want to use all my ninja moves up at once. Besides, I'm still in cute puppy overload mode, I have to make them think that they're in charge! Ha!

I wasn't very impressed with the bed they put out for me to sleep on - just a piece of blanket! I did hear them say though that they had ordered me a special fancy bed of my own that hasn't arrived yet. It will be so nice having somewhere comfy to sleep that is all mine! There are no other dogs here. You know what that means? More biscuits for me!

I'm not used to being upstairs. I love stairs! They are so fun to run up and down! I haven't quite got the hang of turning round on them yet though. Sarah had to help me out a couple of times when I almost fell off the side, getting too excited. I also tripped down the stairs at bedtime when I went to get a drink, so they left the hall light on for me. It's a bit bright though, I've put in a request for a nice relaxing mood light with a bark activated dimmer switch. Bark on! Bark off!

Today is a new day. I am not quite right and I have an odd sensation in my tummy, but other than that I feel great. It was odd that Nigel didn’t take me with him when he went for a walk this morning, but actually, I wasn’t that bothered. I wandered round the pen and that was about it.

I have had the strangest day. I went for a lovely walk this morning, then was bundled into the car without any breakfast. That was ok as we always go fun places when we go in the car. I noticed that there was a clear plastic cone in the back with me, so I pushed my head in to investigate. It got stuck and they laughed at me. I thought that a little unnecessary.

We got to the place where we were going and waited in the waiting area. There were some lovely people there who all made a fuss of me. Then we went iinto a room for some more fuss and a lot of human talk. Suddenly Nigel and Kate went out and I was left with the nurse. I thought this a bit odd, but played along. Then felt really drowsy, and had a nap. When I woke up I felt really sick, and really odd, kind of woozy. I lay around for a bit and they put that clear plastic cone over my head and attached my collar to it. I was feeling too ill to bother.

Finally I was taken back out into the waiting area where Nigel and Kate were aghain. After some more talk I went out into the fresh air and to the car. I wanted to jump in but Nigel wouldn’t let me so I let him lift me up. Not a dignified position for me but it was an odd day. 

 I got home and felt so ill I threw up in the hall. They didn’t mind. In fact Kate went and made me a fire as I was shivering. I sat on one or the other lap all evening. I did stop for some chicken and rice but that was all. Then I went to sleep again.  I just want company and sleep.

Today was a great day.  I had a trip out in the car and spent the day with Sarah and Nicky. Fun fun fun!  I really like it there so I decided to be on my best, most cute behaviour: no jumping up, lots of cute puppy behaviour. I think it has worked; they love me.

We arrived and went straight into the back garden to play with red ball. I loved flying up and down the steps. And it is clean.

Then I saw a friend in the cupboard in the lounge. She really looked like me, much more clear than the one in the bookcase at home. I tried to get her to play, and barked at her but she couldn’t get out of the cupboard.

Kate, Nicky and I then went for a walk. We had a lovely time playing in a field we found, and it’s only just round the corner from their house. I went to meet a couple of dog friends but came straight back when called, mostly.  We played a lot of red ball until I was tired. 

I saw a strange thing today at Sarah and Nicky’s: a large round thing that traveled round the floor, whirring. It had little brushes on the side.  I wasn’t sure at first but it did look like fun so I tried to bite it. I don’t think I was supposed to do that.

Also, I had a really nasty moment just after going outside for a little private time. On the way back I came bowling up the steps and ran in to the door. I didn’t realize there is such a thing as a door you can see through. Crash! I felt a bit weird after that, but I did notice that Sarah put a white apple sticker on the see through bit. Hopefully, I will remember that it is there, and be a bit more careful next time. I hope there is a next time...

I was so tired on the way home I just curled up on the seat and went to sleep. At least I think I did, all I remember is getting in the car, and then getting out again. I don’t think they live very far away at all...

It was the best of days, it was the worst of days.  It’s been almost a month since my last serious foray into the kitchen so I had a go at changing all that.  Today I was seriouly tempted by a delicious smell coming from the kitchen. Kate had cooked a chicken and left it on the side to cool. Unfortunately she had also put the barrier up by the kitchen door so I couldn’t get in. I was just plotting as to how to solve this problem when an opportunity presented itsself. Kate went into the kitchen to make a pot of tea, and carried it out on a tray. She forgot to replace the barrier, and I didn’t remind her...

About 5 minutes later she returned to the kitchen. By this time I had managed to knock the chicken, and the tray onto the floor and was enjoying a tasty snack. She was not happy at all. Just because there was a small (ish) hole in the chicken, and grease all over the floor. I offered to clear it up for her but  I was not the most popular dog in the pack.  In fact I had to spend the rest of the day hiding.  Was it worth it?  Definitely!!

You woudn’t believe what  they did to me today. Kate went shopping this morning and brought back some of those really lovely smelling cheesy rolls in crinkly paper.  Nigel had one and left the rest on the side in the kitchen. It was just too tempting but the wrapping was a bit noisy and they heard it crinkling. I got shouted at. Then the two of them started to giggle and I had no idea why.  

I went into the kitchen again and saw a tasty looking piece of bread crust just on the edge of the counter.  Of course it was just too tempting so I grabbed it for a quick snack. 

Suddenly there was a resounding crash as a pile of tins I hadn’t noticed came thundering off the edge of the counter too. They had been tied to the bread crust! I was rather startled and didn’t return to the kitchen for quite a while.

That however, is not the end of the story.  I watched as they piled up the tins again. Later that evening I also watched as Nigel went into the kitchen and saw an empty loop of string hanging down from the top of the counter, still attached to the pile of tins. They have no idea which one of us managed to gently sneak the bread out of the string, and I’m not telling...

I love string! Its the greatest fun ever... A ball of string can be played with as a ball, then when it unravels and its all over the place you can lie in it and chew it.

I know its been quite a while since I last wrote my diary. The household had been rather stressed and all 3 of us dogs have been feeling a bit anxious. There seemed to be a lot of talk about trouble at work, whatever that is, and moving house. I’m not certain about that either. I can’t see how a house can move as they are generally rather large. Anyway it seems to have calmed down a bit now. 

I was rather bad about a week ago and I heard rumours of having to leave here on my own, so I thought I’d better be good for a while. I had a little disagreement with Holly and I bit her under the eye, and on the ear. She wouldn’t get out of her bed when I wanted it.   Anyway Holly disappeared for a bit with Nigel, and came back later with some tasty looking sweets that only she was allowed, with cheese, and at meal times. Nigel was talking about £50 and ‘she has to go’ so I thought I’d lay low for a while and be very good. It seems to be working.

Also, I ate almost a whole box of Jacobs crackers today. They were wrapped in cellophane so they were a little tricky to open, but they were on the coffee table after lunch. I thought it would be ok. I did leave one I think as it was right under the cellophane at the back, but that did not impress Kate.  Food is still a great temptation to me and I struggle to understand why I shouldn’t help finish off anything that is left out.

I am really enjoying the yew berries in the garden. They are very tasty to a labrador cross like me. I love eating. They say that yew berries are poisonous, but thats only if you chew the pip bit on the inside of the fleshy red bit. I eat things too fast to ever chew anything. It makes Nigel cross when I eat them so I have to have a quick snack when he isn’t looking.

They only went out for about 20 minutes but it was enough time to find and unravel several balls of wool. I was going to remove the knitting from the needles and have a go at them too but Kate returned before I had the chance.

I can’t understand it.  I thought they would be pleased that the filter was shredded. Still, I had better sucess today.  They left the kitchen gate open.... I managed to find 2 sausage rolls, a packet of blueberries, the recycling, another water pistol and a roll of silver foil (I prefered the cardboard to the foil itsself.). Then I went into the lounge and removed a pencil and the calculator from the coffee table.  I heard later that the calculator is still working, but I sure put some lovely teeth marks in it.

It's been a bit quiet recently, apart from the odd pencil or pen I have been fairly good. I have been worrying about the amount of time spent cleaning the lounge so I thought I’d help out.  When Kate took the spongy filter out of the Dyson and washed it I kept a careful eye on where it would be put to dry. As I suspected it was placed on the boiler within easy reach. If there is no filter there is no cleaning and Kate can have a rest. I am so kind.

I haven’t written for a while, I’ve been so busy... today a shell and a biro, yesterday the recycling, the day before the water pistol (more of that in a minute) and the day before that a DVD case. Successful chewing.  

Now, about the water pistol: about 2 weeks ago they bought home a set of water pistols. Now, I am not keen on being squirted. I hear that some dogs really like it and try to bite the water jet. I think they must be a little mad.  I’m not sure why they squirted me but I usually got wet when I was ‘play biting’ one of the others, or trying to get into the kitchen when I shouldn’t.  so...I took the opportunity when the kitchen gate was left open again, dragged the loaded water pistol off the boiler and chewed it up.  The water coming out was a bit of a shock but I left the puddle on the kitchen floor and took the remainder of the pistol to my bed to chew up. They can’t use THAT again. Now I think that there are more dotted about the house. I am biding my time.....

I have been so good for so long I thought I’d sneak upstairs and shred the cleaning sponges in the bathroom....

You won’t believe this... I got the moose again and ran round the garden with it! It is now no more. I  think it went in the bin.

Things have been quiet; too quiet. I have lulled them into a false sence of security. I managed to get the moose today.  They had bought it back from Canada. It was bendy and sat on the window ledge. I chewed it.

I didn’t tell about the interesting but not very tasty thing I found last week... well, Kate and Nigel went out and Kate left the door open to the kitchen. She also left a cupboard door open.  He he he... I found an interesting tub with some white mushy stuff inside.  Apparently they call it White Wizard and it is used for cleaning cooker tops. Anyway I took it back to my bed in the hall and trid to eat it.  Not impressed. I managed to get it out of the tub and onto the floor in a white mushy blob.  I then proceeded to thoroughly chew the container and the lid.  Lovely!

Today I went to dog training again.  Its lovely fun to meet lots of new dogs and have lots of things to smell. I did sit really well, but was far more interested in all the lovely friends. Red ball and treats are so boring in comparison. Kate handled me this time.  They are apparently taking it in turns. I tried to pull her over but I couldn’t.  A man advised her on the best way to hold me.  I was not best pleased.

Today I also discovered that I have a friend in one of the glass fronted cupboards.  She looks really pretty but is very quiet, even when I bark at her.  She can bark silently, which is really interesting.  Kate calls her ‘Reflection’, which I think is a really strange name for a dog. She wanted to play whenever I did but couldn’t get out of the cupboard.  I don’t think she was even trying, so eventually I gave up and left her.  I check back periodically and she is still there.

Today was my first day at puppy training. I really enjoyed it and was not keen to return to the car at the end of the session.  So many puppies to greet, so little opportunity at the end of a lead.

I was asked to train Nigel and I lunged at everything, just to check out his strength.  He did fail on one occasion where I managed to pull him over and release myself from his grip so that I could socialise with a very pretty yorkie next to me, but generally he did quite well. I lunged at everyone, and all the other dogs, with half a minute or so in between to give Nigel a chance to give me a treat.  At this rate I am going to get quite fat. I think I spent a lot of the time on my back legs at full stretch of the lead.

There were several small terriers, a tiny black poodle and a hairy something or other who was the same size as me but not so bouncy.  He was wearing a type of harness; I hope Nigel and Kate didn’t notice it.

The training lady was very kind and showed me how to walk nicely on a lead, Nigel and Kate have yet to get the hang of it, and I am not going to make it easy for them...

We had to do ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘stand’. I am great with Sit, if there is a treat involved.  Down is being worked on, and I have no idea about Stand yet.  We also did ‘Leave It.’  Not so keen on that one as it involves ignoring biscuits.  Tricky.

We are going back next week and I will show them how well I have Nigel trained.  I am working towards the Kennel Club Good Dog Citizen Awards.  I am so proud of myself, and very tired.

I only wanted to help in the gardens as I saw Kate doing at the weekend.  They had kindly left the door open this morning so that Daisy and I could enjoy the spring sunshine.  I had a close look at one of the pots. I thought there was parsley growing in it, but I’m not very good at plant identification. I find the best thing to do is have a good dig, get the plant out by the root, chew it to pieces and check the flavour.  I was right, it was parsley.  Afterwards I did notice that there was a lot of soil all over the paving. Very messy.  Someone really should clear that up.

Later I tried to sneak a shell from the top of another pot into the house so that I could chew it in the comfort of my bed, but I was spotted and my cunning plan was foiled.

Nigel took the other two for a walk without me this afternoon. I thought that was a bit mean.  Anyway, Kate got ready to take me into the tennis court and I shot out of the door, round the side of the cottage and my luck was in: Nigel hadn’t shut the side gate or the gate to the main gardens... I was out and away.  Actually, I got a bit distracted by the group of Berkeleys and their dogs who were gathered by the peacocks. A great game of catch ensued, with me playing with Charles Berkeley’s dog Jarvis, the cocker and Mr Berkeley’s black lab Milly.  We really enjoyed ourselves, but eventually I was caught.  Someone in the party thought I was an Australian Cattle Dog.  Maybe I will change my birth certificate as it sounds better than Lab cross.

I again put in a request for a lovely new pink collar and what do I get?  A bright red webbing collar. Pah.  I would have preferred a pale peach, lilac or even a smart burgundy at a push, but red. It is so passé.

That's done the trick. Nigel made a mistake and tied the rope round my collar instead of to the D ring on the collar.  I took full advantage of this mistake, made sure the rope got pulled really tight, and Bob’s your uncle... the collar snapped.  Cheap tack.  I am now sporting a rather worn, red collar belonging to Daisy.

I am not impressed.  They came back from shopping with a new collar. Granted it is leather but it is so black. Black is not my best colour, it does nothing to bring out the highlights in my eyes. I will see what I can do about that....

Today my strength took a severe bashing.  I was running wildly in the field with the rope and watering can bouncing along behind me.  the wind caught the can and blew it round behind Nigel where it caught between his legs.  He got bashed but I nearly got strangled.  Thankfully I am made of tougher stuff.  I just broke my collar buckle and carried on.   The collar is now useless so I am looking forward to a new  trendy accessory. I am trying to put in a request for a pretty pink collar with perhaps a sprinkling of rhinestones. They don’t seem to be listening.

It was quite cold this evening but lovely and warm in front of the fire in the lounge.  Suddenly I had a brilliant idea....  I went into the hall, collected my bed mat and dragged it into the lounge in front of the fire.  After I had given the bed a good rearrange, I was able to settle down comfortably in the warm. Lovely.

Today  we were walking in the fields and I saw something really interesting on the other side of the haha, so I jumped up and into the gardens.  I would like to add here that I am still attached by a long rope to a plastic watering can. There is also an area of barbed wire where I jumped.  I didn’t know this but Nigel did.  He was a bit desperate when he called me back.  But I was not keen on jumping down the haha again so I stood there looking pathetic with my paw raised.  Nigel thought I’d hurt myself but I was only after a bit of sympathy.  A cunning plan to offset a telling off.  It seemed to work and I ran off again happily.

I have worked out what that parcel was that arrived a month ago.  It is a collar with a spray.  And it beeps.  They don’t use the spray much but I like the ‘good’  beep.  When I hear it I know that I have been good.  When I hear the ‘bad’ beep I have to stop what I am doing.  Kate and me are having fun in the tennis court every day now.  We play ball, and find the biscuit, and chase, and drop it, and lots of fun games.  I am learning lots with the good beep collar.

In disgrace again.  Nigel was walking us in the field this morning and listening to worship music on his ipod.  He wasn’t concentrating ( it was definitely his fault) and I accidentally ran into the back of his legs and knocked him onto his knees.  It’s my opinion that he needed to worship on his knees.  He didn’t agree, strangely.

I heard this morning that I have been enrolled in a local puppy class.  They say that I will have fun, meet more new friends and learn lots of new things.

I have just discovered that the plastic watering can is rather fun to play with so now I can run away, with the watering can in my mouth! The rope is still there, trailing behind me but I can run faster than Nigel anyway.  The watering can now has a lot of extra holes, and won’t hold water so well. He, he, he!

Kate bought a really big soft fluffy mat.  I wanted to play with it but she cut it up into 4 bits and put the pieces where us dogs sleep.  Its really comfy and warm.  I would like to drag them around the house and chew them but it is frowned upon.

Nigel has now tied a plastic watering can to the end of the rope.  They think it will slow me down, but I will continue to use it as a cunning way of building up my muscles.  I don’t think I need to build my muscles though, I am very strong already.

The bucket is no more! I battered it so much it broke.  Ha Ha!  Anyway, It was sort of  interesting to have something following me all the time but I found it wasn’t particularly interesting to chew, so it was destruction time.

Nigel made a mistake and didn’t use the rope and bucket.  He used the extending lead at it’s longest length. I ran into the field and very close to a piece of farm machinery left in there. Unfortunately the lead bashed against the roller and smashed open.  The spring sprang out and now it is ruined. And this time it WASN'T my fault! Ooops.

We met another dog walker in the fields today with a boxer dog.  I ran away from Nigel with the bucket on a rope trailing behind me, and ran round and round the walker and his dog! He was completely tied up by the time Nigel and Kate got there.  I suppose it’s a good job he understood that I was only playing. And the boxer dog was very placid too.

Nigel bought home some Bonio dog biscuits.  I really like them.  Kate found out that one biscuit will fit neatly inside the Kong toy.  I was a bit annoyed as it took me ages to get it out again.  I had to lick it and lick it and lick it until it went soggy and fell apart.

They are trying a new tack.... a long rope and a bucket on the end.  They think it is really funny when I run through a puddle and the bucket fills with water.  I see it as an opportunity to build up the muscle tone in my legs.

The extending lead is so boring. I pull and pull but they won’t let me off. I think that Nigel gets really cross with me, but there is so much to see.

They discovered this morning that I had managed to chew through the computer power cable. There was talk that the replacement cost is £55, whatever that means. I assume it must be good.
Today they received a large parcel and were rather excited about it. What is it I wonder.... Could it be a present for me?

I got into the recycling again. I don’t think that Kate is quite sure whether she left the kitchen gate open or not. I am not going to tell her.

Dull, dull, dull.  I was so bored this afternoon that I found a  small hole in my bed and found that it is full of an interesting white fluffy stuffing. It is great fun to pull it all out and spread it about.  This evening I only had an old fleece to lie on. I wonder where my nice, comfy bed has gone...

I’ve had some lovely walks over the holidays. Lots of them, and I’ve been running all over the place. I have yet to take much notice of Nigel or Kate when they call. I’ll return eventually but there are so many more interesting smell to investigate.